Sequential commutator switch



F. C. SOUTH SEQUENTIAL COMMUTATOR SWITCH July 12,1960

Filed Feb. 9. 1959 FIG. 4.

FIG. I.

FRANCIS 0. SOUTH INVENTOR.

M Maw ATTORNEYS United States Patent SEQUENTIAL COMIVIUTATOR SWITCH Francis C. South, Glenmont, Md., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Feb. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 792,235

-1 Claim. (Cl. 200-25) The present invention relates to electrical switches and more particularly to an improved commutator switch.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a commutator switch that may be utilized for energizing a plurality of low potential circuits.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a commutator switch wherein the commutator employed may be driven at a constant speed and wherein the contacts may be so adjusted with respect to each other and to said commutator that circuit make and break times may be varied to suit the needs of individual circuit controlling problems.

A further object of the invention is to provide a commutator switch wherein the contacts are adjustable throughout the entire 360 degrees for permitting maximum flexibility in use.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

In the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section to show the relation of the several parts;

Fig. 2 is a top sectional view of the switch, taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the assembled switch;

Fig. 4 is a detail top sectional view to show one of the contact members.

Generally the invention consists of a switch having a rotatable commutator centrally positioned therein. A plurality of contacts are disposed along the longitudinal axis of said commutator so that upon rotation of said commutator each contact will be contacted once during each complete revolution of the commutator. By spacing the contacts at different positions in the circle of revolution of the commutator a timed relation may be established to control a plurality of circuits. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved switch constituting the present invention includes metal body elements and 12 which are mounted in opposed spaced relation by end plates 13 and 14. The body elements 10 and 12 are of double E configuration in side elevation, each having backing members and spaced projections 15, corresponding projections of each of the elements being in the same plane.

2,945,096. Fatented July 12, 1960 The end plates 13 and 14 carry, respectively, bearings 16 and 17 for journaling the opposite ends of a commutator 18 which is formed of insulating material and which is driven by a motor (not shown). The commutator 18 has embedded in the side wall thereof a longitudinally extending insert 20 and electrical contact with this insert is made, through the center element 19 of the bearing 16 and a spring 21, with a terminal 22 on the end plate 13.

Supported between opposed projections 15 of the body elements '10 and 12 in vertical spaced relation are contact mounting rings 23, of insulating material. As best seen in Figs. 1 and 4, the rings 23 are so positioned that opposed edges of said rings define circular tracks for contacts clamped therebetween. More specifically, contacts, one of which is shown at 24, are clamped between the cylindrical margins of adjacent rings and are adjustable so that when loosened, they may be shifted entirely about the said rings, that is, throughout 360 degrees. The contacts 24 each carry a flat spring contact element 25 for engagement with the commutator insert 20 as said commutator is rotated by the motor. As best seen in Fig. 4, the contacts 124 each include, in addition to the element 25, elements 26 and 27 which are clamped on the rims of opposed rings 23 by a screw 28.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that the switch constituting the present invention provides a simple device for permitting control of a plurality of electrical circuits at adjustable switching times.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claim the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

An improvement in a rotary switch, comprising, a pair of body elements in spaced relation and having a plurality of inwardly depending flanges thereon, the flanges of one of said elements being directly opposite the flanges of the other of said elements to form pairs of opposing flanges, a commutator rotatable between said elements and carrying a longitudinal contact member, a plurality of support rings, said rings being positioned in spaced relation to one another and defining annular tracks therebetween, individual support rings being secured to individual pairs of opposing flanges, contacts slidably mounted in said annular tracks and engageable therewith throughout the entire 360 degrees thereof, said contacts being engageable with said longitudinal contact member on said commutator, locking means on said contacts for fixing the position thereof on any point of said annular tracks, and means for rotating said commutator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,756,293 Bitler July 24, 1956' 

